Book excerpt: Robert Fulton revolutionized water travel at the turn of the 19th century. In this book, readers will explore the different kinds of water travel available to Americans in the late 1700s and early 1800s, and how Fulton’s invention was a vast improvement. This book covers Fulton’s early life and work, his interest in canals and navigation, and his development of a widely successful steamboat. Readers will learn about how Fulton’s steamboat worked and how it impacted people. Engineering and technology concepts make this a perfect match for STEM curricula, while Fulton’s background and story provide an exciting history lesson. Engaging text and authentic photographs help readers understand Fulton’s accomplishments, and the way his legacy has lived on.